Congo Square Rhythms Festival

Robin Barnes, Nth Power

Last weekend, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation presented the Congo Square Rhythms Festival. Robin Barnes and the Fiya Birds (pictured above and below), featuring Pat Casey on bass, Shea Pierre on keys, Caleb Brown on drums and Danny Abel on guitar, put on a great set, which ended with a show-stopping version of the late Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.”

The Nth Power got their start at a late-night jam session during Jazz Fest in 2012. The power trio features powerhouse drummer and background vocalist Nikki Glaspie, guitarist Nick Cassarino and bassist Nate Edgar. The harmony vocals between Glaspie and Cassarino were highlights of the set. They closed the super-tight performance with Bob Marley’s “War” and “No More Trouble.”